Apparatus for exhibiting stereoscopic pictures



S. PERRY;

Apparatus for Exhibiting Stereoscopic Pictures.

Patented June 7, i859.

N, FUERS Phoio-Lxihugrnpher. Washingmn, D. c.

STUART BERRY, or NEWPORT, NEW "YORK.

APPARATUS FOR EXHIBITING STEREOSCOPIG PICTURES.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 24,327, dated June 7, 1859.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STUART PERRY, of Newport, in the county of Herkimer and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement'in Apparatus for EX- hibiting Stereoscopic Pictures; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,-

clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, mak- I pictures belng placed, or clamped, or glued,

ing a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1, represents'a perspective view of the exterior of the box or case, which contains the pictures, and. the mechanism for; moving them to, and from the place where they are exhibited. Fig. 2, represents an elevation of the interior mechanism the box, 3 or case being removed. Fig. 3, represents a section through the picture holder, and the frame over it, and F igJl, represents a portion of the frame or mechanism by which the 1 pictures are taken to the place where they! are to be inspected, and again returned to the picture holder, or interior of the box.

Similar letters of reference where they occur in the separate figures denote like parts of the apparatus in all of them. v

My invention relates to an apparatus for exhibiting stereoscopic pictures, in which the pictures are conveyed automatically from the interior of the box or case, to the place where they are to be inspected, and returned to the box again after they have been inspected or exhibited-or in other wordsan apparatus which contains the pictures within it, and brings them to the outside to be exhibited, and then returns them again. And the nature of my invention consists in mechanical means which I employ to perform the several necessary movements to effect the desired object, as will be hereafter explained.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the drawings.

A represents a box or case which may be made of any suitable material, and ornanament, or piece of furniture. On each side of this frame B, may be arranged two frames (3,0, for containing lenses, said lenses being arranged in an inner frame C that can be moved in or out of the stationary frame 0, by a thumb screw D, for the purpose of changing the focus to suit the eye of the person examining the pictures. By this arrangement of frame and lenses, two persons may examine pictures at the same time, the

in pairs, so as toface both ways, or toward both lenses. A crank E, is connected to the protruding end .of a shaft a. that operates the interior mechanism, said crank being in any convenient position, for the operator or user of the apparatus to catch or turn. Within this outer box or case A isthe picture holder F, which may be'cylindrical in form, and divided by proper partitions 6, into a series of compartments or divisions 0. The picture holder-is hung upon an axle or shaft cl upon which it can'turn, and revolves within a stationary barrier which may have closed heads 6, and a rim f, or they may be made in skeleton form, their object being tohold the pictures to their proper places and prevent them from dropping out. When the pictures are moved horizontally, and exposed at the side of the box, instead of vertically as'shownat the top, then the barrier may be differently made, as there would be no tendency for them to drop out of their compartments. v v

On the shaft 42, to which the crank E is connected, is an arm which has a wrist pin 71, in its end that works in a horizontal slot at made the lifting or carrying frame H, that transfers the pictures in succession from the interior of the box to the frame B, where they are inspected and then back again to the compartment from whence they I were taken. The frame H, is seen in perspective in Fig. 4. The pictures 0, rest in their respective compartments 0, loosely but are prevented from falling out as the picture holder revolves, by the belt or barrier f.

The ends of the pictures project beyond the the glasses in C. By continuing the rotation of the crank E, the frame descends, and

carries down the picture through the same opening that it was brought up through; and just as the picture is rested in its compartment, a tooth 's on the shaft a takes in between two of the cogs or teeth of the; I

Wheel I, and ives said wheel a slight rotation, just su cient to remove the picture,

just exhibited and returned, far enough out of the Way, to allow the frame to bring up the next one. The wheeL'I is fast on the shaft (1, that carries the'picture holder, so that moving the shaft, moves the picture holder also.

t is a spring or friction brake, that is forced agalnst the Wheel I, or its teeth, for

' the purpose of holding the picture-holder mechanism.

handled or soiled. There are not doors or in the position in which the tooth s leaves it-it being understood that while the picture is being carried out to be exhibited as well as when being returned to its compartment, the picture-holder is at rest, and that it is only moved far enough to bring: each picture opposite the opening through which it is to beprotruded, in regular succession.

It is immaterial however, whether each compartment has a picture init, or not, as their absence in no wise dlsarranges any of. the

The frame B, is made in' sections that may slide together, or one may be hinged to the other and secured by any ordinary fastening. This is for the purpose of taking out, changing, or' introducing the pictures; By sliding up one half of the frame B, and taking it away from the other. part, and turning the crank E, the pictures are brought up,

andjcan be lifted oif their supports 1, and others put in their place, and continuing to turn the crank the new picture is carried down to the compartment from which the one removed came, and so on the pictures can be changed at pleasure, as they are united or made fast to nothing, bein entirelyv loose, and each independent o the other.

I propose to fasten two pictures together either by metallic clamps, and back 'to back, or by luing themeither of which will make the paper stiiferfand less liable to warp, and consequently more certain of not catchlng In the narrow 'slot or o. ening through which they are projected or inspection. J J, is a guide or block fastened tothe frame H, and moving in the ways K, to keep the frame in position.

The mechanism is exceedingly simple, and the whole apparatus neat and ornamental. Among its many advantages over'other apparatus for a similar purpose, maybe mentioned the following. That the pictures are kept in a tight box where they cannot be lids to open or, close. The pictures are all brought into the same posit on, and consequently when the lenses are set properly, there is no shifting or turning of the picture, necessary. It is always in the right place, and the light is always sufficient.

When transparent pictures are to be exhibited, they are introduced singly (not back to back), and onlyone set of lenses used. A glass case or other cover is placed so as to properly inclose the frame in which the pictures are exhibited, and the set of lenses' on the face side of the picture, and excluding the light on. that side. This case should be removable, for with the pictures on paper,itis not needed.By transparent pictures, I mean those on glass.

v I have described thepicture holder as a rotating one. 'It is not necessarily rotative,

as .it may move on ways; but anymovable picture holder with divisions for holding the pictures, out of which, or nearly. out of which, the pictures are successively removed for exhibition, and to "which they are again returned, and for which purpose there is an alternate motion, and state of rest, or partial cessation of motion of the frame work of the picture holder,.I wouldjdeem as my invention, whether the pictures were projected out vertically or horizontally.

Keeping the pictures in a box and mechanireturning them again, is a' leading element in my invention, though there are others of equgl importance, as willbereadily discovere. m

Having thus fully described-the nature and object of my invention what I claim therein as new'an'd "desire to secure by Let- 1. A' -movable framework for holding a series of stereoscopic pictures, from which the pictures arebrought to be inspected, and then} returned to it again, by a mechanism operated by the user, substantially as described. e

2. I also claim bringing each individual hibited, by mechanism, substantially such as described. j p

3. I also" claim in combination with a movable picture holder, a reciprocating carrying frame that catches each picture or'lpair of pictures in succession, and carries them to the place where they are to be inspected,

and returns them to "their compartm en again, substantially as. described. i i

4. Ialso claim in combinationwith a box or case containing within it a series of pic- 'cally displaying them outside of the boxgand picture or pair of pictures in succession to V the same point or-place, before they are projected from their compartment to be extures, and a mechanism for'projecting them from said case, a framework on the outside of said box or case, for rece ving said; pictures, substantially as descrlbed,

5. I also claim the slots, in the pictureholder, as Well as removing them therefrom, 5 holder barrier f, and in the box or case, so substantially as described. that the picture from its compartment in 8. I also claim the clamps as applied to the picture holder, may be projected through single or double pictures, for the purpose of 5 both slots or openings, to the outside of the strengthening them, preventing their WarpbOX, substantially as described. ing or bending, and thus facilitating their 20 6. I also claim the friction break 25 or its passage through the slot Which they must equivalent for holding the picture holder, pass through to the place Where they are exgndlpreveniting it from 1movindg untliol sit-arted hibited, substantially as described. 10 t e cran c, su stantia 1y as escri e 7 7. I also claim making the frame B, in STUART PERRX sections or With an opening for the purpose Witnesses: of introducing the pictures through said WILLIAM CHAPMAN, frame into the compartments of the picture- IsAAo SMITH. 

